Internal combustion engine



Aug. 14, 1934. J M YER 1,969,815

INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE Filed Jan. 20, 1930 A TTORNEY.

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Patented Aug. 14, 1934 UNITED STATES PATENT orrics INTERNAL COIWBUSTION ENGINE Andre J. Meyer, Detroit, Mich., assignor to Continental Motors Corporation, Detroit, Mich a corporation of Virginia My invention is related to internal combustion engines and is more particularly related to means for effecting an internal cooling of the cylinders supplementing the usual external cooling thereof.

It is the object of my invention to increase engine efficiency by providing means for increasing the compression ratio of an internal combustion engine.

Another object of my invention is to construct an internal combustion engine having a relatively higher ratio of compression by providing means for supplementing the usual external cooling means to further reduce the temperature ofv the engine cylinders, thereby permitting an increase in the compression. ratio without the danger of .preigniting the compressed gases.

Another object of my invention is to effect an increased cooling of the engine witha resulting increase in engine efficiency by supplementing the external cooling means usually employed for internal combustion engines with an additional means for internally cooling the engine cylinders at periodical intervals.

A'further object of my invention is to effect a supplementary internal cooling of the cylinders of an internal combustion engine, by periodically admitting a charge of air into saidcylinders and providing means for effecting a heat transfer between the products of combustion and the air, thereby effecting a cooling of the engine to such a degree as to permit a higher ratio of compression to be employed without the danger of preigniting the compressed gases. 7 7

.A still further object of my invention is to effect an internal cooling of the cylinders of an internal combustion engine during alternate cycles of the engine by introducing a charge of air into said cylinders during alternate cycles of the engine. I

And still a further object of my invention is to effect an efiicient internal cooling of the cylinders of an internal combustion engine by constructing an engine having a plurality of cylinders arranged in pairs and providing means for alternately introducing a charge of air first in one cylinder andthen in the other cylinder, means being further provided for effecting a transfer of heat from the air in one cylinderfrom the other cylinder associated therewith containing the products of combustion.

For a more detailed understanding of my invention, reference may be had to the accompanying, drawing, which illustrates one form which my invention, may assume, and in which:

Figgliis aplan view, somewhat diagrammatic,

zvalves 18 are actuated to open and close simultaneously.

of an internal combustion engine and showing the intake and exhaust valve arrangement of a pair of associated cylinders, and

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view of an internal combustion engine constructed in accordance with my invention, and taken substantially on the line 2-2 of'Fig. 1. r

Referring more particularly to the drawing illustrating a preferred form of structure embodying the principle of my invention, 10 desigi nates an engine block provided'with a plurality of cylinders 11 enclosed vu'thin suitable jackets 12 in which a cooling medium is circulated for effecting an external cooling of the engine cylinders. Preferably these'cylinders are arranged in; pairs, the'cylinders in each pair being placed-in communication with each otherbya passageway 13 preferably cast within the cylinder head 14 and connecting the combustion chambers 15 associated with each cylinder. c A rocker arm housing 50 is preferably secured on top of the cylinder head for housing the rocker arms 16 which are operatively connected with exhaust and intake valves 17 and 18 respectively. The exhaust and intake valves are ar- 1 ranged as shown diagrammatically in Fig. 1. A description of the structure and'operation of one pair of cylinders will suifice, since all pairs are similarly constructed and operated. The intake As shown in the illustrated embodimentof my invention, I'have provided a manifold 19 containing a combustion fluid and an air manifold 20, the cylinder head'being provided with a pair of passages 21 for connecting the said manifolds with the cylinders. A rotary valve 22 controls-the -fiow of the combustible fluid or air. into these 7 passages 21 and the valves 1'7 and 18-are operated ing connection may be employed. One suitable driving means is shown in Fig. 1, a gear 5 on the cam shaft .16, drives a gear 6 on the valve shaft 22, the ratio between the valve shaft 22 and cam shaft being 4 to 1 since the cam shaft is driven at one-half crankshaft speed. Fig. 2

illustrates an engine that is beginning its intake stroke with the pistons 23 going down and "the intake valves 18 open. One of the cylinders is drawing a charge of the combustible fluid such as the usual fuel mixture from the manifold 19, while the other cylinder is drawing a charge of air from the air manifold 20. The valves 18 are closed during the compression stroke and preferably one piston is slightly advanced with respect to the other which may tend to intermix the combustible fluid and .air charges to some extent that have been previouslydrawn, into the respective cylinders, although the identity of these charges will be preserved for the most part. The pistons are operated in synchronism.

A spark plug 24 is provided for eachcylinder as on every other firing stroke alternate cylinders contain a combustible fluid or fuel mixture to I be fired. The heat generated by the combustion of the mixture in one cylinder is transferred toity from one cylinder to the other may be regulated by varying the size of the passage 13. Where other means, such as metals of high heat conductivity, are employed for conducting the heat from theproductsof combustion to the air in an adjoining cylinder, the amount of heat transferred may be controlled by varying the character of the heat conducting medium. However for vahious reasons I find it advisable to provide a passage between thecylinders because it permits a more efficient transfer of heat besides permitting a slight intermixing of the combustible mixture and air. 1 I

The expandedair and burnt gases are exhausted in the usual manner into the exhaust manifolds 25. The rotary valve 22 is. preferably continuously operated and is positioned as shown by the dotted lines when the .valves .18 are again opened in the next engine cycle. Instead :of the gas or combustible mixture. flowing to the cylinder on the left, it is conducted to the cylinder on .the right while the air is conductedto the cylinder on the left. Thus the combustible'mixture is alternately admitted to eachof the cylinders and the air is correspondingly admitted alternately to the said cylinders, one cylinder. receiving a charge of the combustible mixture .while the other cylinder receives acharge ofair.

Thus an internal cooling of each of. said cylinders is obtained during alternate cycles of the engine, said cylinders being alternatelycooled...

. .Piston rods 30 connected with the pistons 23 of a cooperating pair 'of'cylinders are each operatively connectedon the same throw of the crankshaft 31. Thus the power generated in both cylinders is transmitted to the crankshaft.

. My construction effects a periodic internal cooling of the cylinders, which supplements the usual external cooling means and consequently -it is possible to effect an increased cooling of the engine, thereby making it possible to increase the compression ratio without the danger of pre igniting the compressed gases. I

It is the expansion ratio to compression ratio which is important for efiiciency in an engine.

Usually these engine factors are identical, but in 'my' engine something'approximating 2 to l'is This'engine and'good economy. p I

It will be noted that each cylinder'operateson an eight-stroke cycle, one or the other of the cylinders being fired-at every fourth stroke of charge of fuel in said cylinders.

the pistons. Said pistons are preferably operatively connected with the crankshaft 31 by the connecting rods 30 that may be articulated if so desired.

Although I have illustrated but one form of my invention and have described in detail but a single application thereof, it will be-apparent to those skilled in-the art towhich my invention pertains, that various modifications and changes may be made therein without departing Y e from the spirit of my invention or from the scope of the appended claims.

-What I claim as my invention is:

1. In an internal combustion engine having fuel and air supply means, a pair of communicating working cylinders, pistons in said cylinders and operated in synchronism, fluid conducting means for connecting said fuel and air supply means to said cylinders, means for alternately placing said-fluid conducting means in communication with saidfuel and air supply means to alternately conduct fuel and air to said cylinders, and means for firing the charge of fuel in said cylinders.

2. In an internal combustion engine having fuel and air supply means, a pair :of communicating cylinders, pistons in said cylinders and operated in synchronism, fluid conducting :means for connecting said fuel and air supply means to said cylinders, valves intermediate the cylinder and fluid conducting means, means foractuating the valves, means operatedin timed relation with said valve actuating means for valternatelyplacing said fluid conducting means in communication with said fuel and air supply means and means for firing the charge of fuel in .said cylinders. I

3. In an internal combustion engine. having fuel and'air supply means, a pair of communicating cylinders, pistons in said cylinders and operated in synchronism, fluid conducting means for connecting said fuel and air supply .means .to said cylinders, valves intermediate the cylinder ducting means in communication with said fuel and airsupply means, and means for firing the 4. In an internal-combustion engine-having a crankshaft, the combination of a pair of communicating working cylinders, "pistons in said cylinders connected with said crankshaft and operated in synchronism, fuel supply means, air

" cylinders, pistons in said cylinders and operated in synchronism, fuel supply means, an supply means, andmeans for alternately internally coolingeach of said cylinders during alternate groups of-four strokes of the-engine;

I" 6.--In-an internal combustion engine, the-comobtained,"expansion taking place in two cylinders fora very small compression ratio. can'therefore be operated with high efliciency "ply means, air supply means,- means foral'ternately admitting alternate charges-of fuel (and air in said cylinders, means for flring-thecharge of fuel in said cylinder, and means effecting-: in-

tern-a1 cooling ot-said cylinders comprising .means 1-50 for effecting an alternate heat transfer between the products of combustion in one cylinder and the air in the other cylinder.

'7. In an internal combustion engine, the combination of a pair of cylinders, pistons in said cylinders and operated in synchronism, fuel supply means, air supply means, means for alternately admitting alternate charges of fuel and air in said cylinders, means for firing the charge of fuel in said cylinder, and means effecting alternate internal cooling of said cylinders comprising means for alternately conducting the heat from the products of combustion in one cylinder to the air in the other cylinder.

8. In an internal combustion engine, the combination of a pair of cylinders, pistons in said cylinders and operated in synchronism, fuel supply means, air supply means, means for alternately admitting alternate charges of fuel and air in said cylinders, means for firing the charge of fuel in said cylinder, said engine provided with a passageway connecting said cylinders for alternately conducting the heat from the products of combustion in one cylinder to the air in the other cylinder to effect an internal cooling of each of said cylinders during alternate cycles of the engine.

9. In an internal combustion engine, the combination of a pair of cylinders, pistons in said cylinders and operated in synchronism, fuel supply means, air supply means, means for alternately admitting alternate charges of fuel and air in said cylinders, means for firing the charge of fuel in said cylinder, said engine provided with a passageway connected to the uppermost portion of said cylinders for alternately conducting the heat from the products of combustion in one cylinder to the air in the other cylinder to effect an internal cooling of each of said cylinders during alternate cycles of the engine.

10. An engine including a pair of communicating cooperating working cylinders, pistons operatable in said cylinders, a common crankshaft operated by said pistons, and means cooperating with the cylinders and pistons for operating'the pistons on an eight-strokecycle, one of said cylinders operating four strokes in advance of the other.

11. An engine including a pair of communistroke cycle, one of said cylinders operating four 190 strokes in advance of the other.

ANDRE J. MEYER. 

